Ecclesiastes 4:13

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.

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Other Translations

Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 9:15-16 : 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, 'Wisdom is better than strength.' But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.
  • Gen 37:2 : 2 This is the account of Jacob: Joseph, a seventeen-year-old youth, was shepherding the flock with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought a bad report about them to their father.
  • 1 Kgs 22:8 : 8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, only bad. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.' Jehoshaphat replied, 'The king should not say such a thing.'
  • 2 Chr 16:9-9 : 9 For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, you will face wars. 10 Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison because he was enraged over this. At the same time, Asa oppressed some of the people.
  • 2 Chr 24:20-22 : 20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest. Standing above the people, he said to them, 'This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord's commands and bring about your own failure? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has also forsaken you.' 21 But they conspired against him, and at the king's command, they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the house of the Lord. 22 King Joash did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had shown him but killed his son. As Zechariah was dying, he said, 'May the Lord see this and call you to account.'
  • 2 Chr 25:16 : 16 While the prophet was still speaking, Amaziah said to him, 'Have we made you the king's counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down?' The prophet stopped but said, 'I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have done this and have not listened to my advice.'
  • Prov 19:1 : 1 Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be a fool with twisted lips.
  • Prov 28:6 : 6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in his ways and rich.
  • Prov 28:15-16 : 15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over helpless people. 16 A ruler lacking understanding is abundant in extortions, but one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 4:14-15
    2 verses
    80%

    14 For he came out of prison to become king, though he was born poor in his kingdom.

    15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun following the youth, the second one, who replaces him.

  • Eccl 9:15-17
    3 verses
    76%

    15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

    16 So I said, 'Wisdom is better than strength.' But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.

    17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler among fools.

  • 1 Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be a fool with twisted lips.

  • Eccl 7:4-5
    2 verses
    76%

    4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

    5 It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.

  • 75%

    20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

    21 Foolishness brings joy to one lacking sense, but a person of understanding walks a straight path.

  • 75%

    24 Wisdom is before the face of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

    25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

  • 5 A fool despises his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction is wise.

  • 1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son causes sorrow to his mother.

  • 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

  • 15 The rod of correction and discipline impart wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

  • Prov 28:6-7
    2 verses
    74%

    6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in his ways and rich.

    7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

  • Prov 17:6-7
    2 verses
    74%

    6 Children’s children are the crown of the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

    7 Eloquent speech is not fitting for a fool; how much less deceitful speech for a ruler!

  • 1 A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a mocker does not heed rebuke.

  • 16 Woe to you, O land, whose king is a youth and whose princes feast in the morning.

  • 2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among the brothers.

  • 3 But better than both is the one who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

  • 10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to rule over princes.

  • 24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields only folly.

  • 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to gain understanding rather than silver!

  • 21 The one who fathers a fool brings grief; the father of a senseless child has no joy.

  • Eccl 7:10-11
    2 verses
    72%

    10 Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions.

    11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and it is an advantage for those who see the light of day.

  • 20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

  • 6 Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.

  • 5 Let the wise hear and increase their learning, and the one who understands gain guidance,

  • 8 What advantage has the wise person over the fool? What does the poor person gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before the living?

  • 13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.

  • 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning, but it becomes known even among fools.

  • 24 The father of a righteous child will greatly rejoice; a man who fathers a wise son will delight in him.

  • 4 I will make boys their leaders, and immature children will rule over them.

  • 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

  • 11 A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with understanding will see right through him.

  • 1 Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father; pay attention so you may gain understanding.

  • 11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I may answer anyone who reproaches me.

  • 22 A servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,

  • 10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.

  • 16 Why should a fool pay for wisdom when he has no intention of understanding it?

  • 13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.

  • 9 It is not merely the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.

  • 16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be remembered forever; in the days to come, everything will be forgotten. How does the wise person die? Just like the fool!

  • 13 A foolish son is a disaster to his father, and a nagging wife is like constant dripping.

  • 18 Poverty and shame come to those who ignore discipline, but those who heed correction are honored.